Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Saraswati Pujo or Vasant Panchami

Saraswati Pujo, the worship of Goddess Saraswati -- the Goddess of Learning in Hindu Mythology, is a special occasion in Bengal. Every year on the day of Vasanta Panchami the Goddess is worshipped in numerous Bengali homes and also in schools, colleges and social communities. The festival is celebrated every year on the fifth day of the shukla paksha (waxing phase of the moon) of the Magha (around January/February) month of the Indian calendar, on the day called 'Vasant Panchami'
This day is so highly esteemed in Bengal that all centers of learning in Bengal are closed on this day. Students offer their books for worship and are not allowed to do any reading or writing on this day.The predominant colour of this day is yellow or basanti, as a sign of Spring which arrives soon after in India. You can learn more about this festival here.

Though this Puja is associated with a religion or mythology, this is more important because this is an humble way to pay our respect for knowledge and learning

We had a small Saraswati Puja today at home as in the above picture. Seeking blessings from the Learning Goddess for all of us, to give us wisdom, knowledge and a desire to learn and to share our learning.

For a complete Saraswati Pujo menu of Bhog er Khichuri, Labra and Chaatni go to this postand see the recipes.

Sandeepa, we celebrate Saraswathi Pooja during the month of October.Nice learning traditions from other parts of India, for a South Indian like me anything beyond that is foreign. Are the flowers from your garden?

Hey Sra,First the pink ones are NOT hibiscus, they are pink carnationsSecond, what you thought as marigold are Nariyal LaddusI thought posting a recipe of those laddus,we call them "Narkel Naru" maybe I will now :)

PoojaWhen do you guys have Saraswati Puja

IndoYeah I was very surprised to see thet in Bangalore Saraswati Puja was celebrated , after NavratriIn Bengal this is a very popular festival, not only at home but also outsideNo they are not flowers from garden, my garden has no flowers now, its tooo cold. I have some indoor plants, but not the flowering ones

Love your Saraswathi idol and nice to read about your customs. We celebrate Saraswathi puja during Dusshera. Don't you love how varied our customs are - different rituals by different people but all under one umbrella of Hinduism. Beautiful! :)

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Predominantly a Bong, who loves being a Mom and loves to cook among other things for the li'l one and the big ones.She loves to write too and you will find her food spiced up with stories. Mainly a collection of Bengali Recipes with other kinds thrown in, in good measure. A Snapshot of Bengali Cuisine